- What kind of exams does your
vascular lab do?
We are going to perform a vascular ultrasound
exam that is a medical diagnostic procedure that uses ultrasound.
Vascular ultrasound is similar to the ultrasound that a pregnant woman
gets to look at the fetus in her abdomen. Our exam uses sound waves to
look at the flow of blood in your blood vessels. We are usually looking
for blockages in your blood vessels.
- Is this vascular ultrasound exam
painful?
The exams that we perform in our vascular lab
are mostly painless and non-invasive (we do not
use needles, except
during
PFO diagnostic testing). Our technologist will use a
hand-held probe and gently place it directly on your skin. A water-based
gel is used to help us look at the structures inside your body. We might
have to apply some pressure with the probe to the area that we need to
study. This might cause some pain and discomfort if you already have
pain in that area, but we will do everything we can to minimize your
discomfort.
- How long will my exam take?
Exams vary in length depending on which one is
being done. Most of our exams take about an hour to do. Some of our
exams that look at the blood flow in your abdomen might take an hour and
a half to two hours.
- Can the person/people I come with
come into the exam room with me?
Since this exam uses no X-rays or radiation,
your guests are allowed to come and observe your exam in the examination
room if you don’t mind.
- When will I know the results of
my examination?
The preliminary test results will be
phoned/faxed to your doctor by the technologist, immediately after your
exam. The final report will be sent to your doctor, within a day or two,
after our interpreting physician has reviewed your exam. Your doctor
will be contacting you to discuss the exam and answer any questions you
might have about the results.
- How do I prepare for the exam?
Most of our exams do not require any
preparation. But if we are going to look at the blood flow in your
abdomen, then you need to fast beginning the night before the exam.
Fasting means you do not eat or drink anything, beginning at 12 midnight
the night before the exam. Do not drink water unless you need to take
medicine, and then with a small amount of water. Do not smoke or chew
gum before the exam.
Insulin dependent diabetics should consult
their doctor for a clear liquid breakfast.
The exams below require fasting:
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Renal Artery Duplex
Lower Extremity Arterial Duplex
Mesenteric Artery Duplex Exam
Portal/Splenic Vein Exam
Some patients find it helpful to bring a snack
to eat directly after the exam.
